LANDING THE JOB: The Interview

Interviewing for a job, whether your first job or further along in your career, is an intimidating, nerve-wrenching task. However, it is also your best opportunity to impress potential employers and show them you are the best candidate. Here are some simple rules to follow before, during and even after the interview that will give you an advantage to landing the job.

I.  Before The Interview

• Learn as much as you can about the company. Find out who they are, what they do, where they are located, how long they've been in business and the position you are interviewing for. This not only shows the potential employer your interest in the company, but also prepares you to answer the interviewer's questions.
• Be sure to bathe and use deodorant - you'd be surprised how many people skip this step. Avoid heavy perfumes and colognes. Be sure your fingernails are clean and your hair is combed. Brush your teeth and bring some mints if you are a smoker. Please don't chew gum or wear flashy jewelry. Your clothes should be clean and ironed. And, if you can, cover up your tattoos.
• Be sure to know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there. Bring a map and the company's phone number, just in case.
• You'll find most interviewers have a list of standard questions. Common interview questions include: Tell me about yourself. What are your strengths? Your weaknesses? Why do you want this job? What makes you the best candidate? Why should I hire you? Always prepare your answers ahead of time and practice giving your answers out loud.
• Be sure to bring extra copies of your resume, a list of your own questions for the interviewer and a good attitude

II.  During The Interview

• Arrive early, but no more than 15 minutes early. And, go alone - do not bring your mom or dad or your best friend.
• Upon introductions, always make eye contact and give a firm handshake. Even if you start feeling nervous, keep that positive attitude. Its said that your qualifications get you the interview, but its your attitude and personality that will get you the job.
• Listen carefully to each question and take time to think about your answers. Keep your answers brief, but be sure to cover the necessary information. Try to give specific examples of your skills and accomplishments.
• Speak positively about yourself, but don't brag
• Always talk positively about others. Never bad mouth anyone, particularly past jobs or employers. And, although this seems obvious, do not under any circumstances swear or cuss during an interview. Bad idea.
• Remember to ask your own questions. This shows you are interested in the position and will also help you decide if this is a place you would like to work. Always keep in mind that this needs to be a good opportunity for you, as well as the employer.
• As the interview comes to a close, ask when you can expect to hear from them and always, always say thank you.

III.  After The Interview

• Evaluate how you did. Would you answer any questions differently? Was there anything you forgot to mention? Also be sure to give yourself credit for the things you feel went well.
• Send a thank you note the day after the interview. Address the note directly to the interviewer, thanking him or her for their time. This will reinforce your interest in the position and keep your name fresh in their mind.
• If you don't hear back, follow up with a phone call. Be polite and specific.

Preparing ahead of time for your interview is time well spent and if you follow these tips and advice, you will find a job. It may take awhile, it may not be the job you thought it would be, but stay positive and know it will happen. For more on what you've just read, check out our DVD Landing The Job: The Interview, an entertaining, documentary style program on surviving the job interview.

BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM

Self-esteem is the way in which we view ourselves and our own self worth. Those who suffer from low self-esteem tend to take fewer risks, focus on their flaws, be pessimistic and form unhealthy relationships. Having good self-esteem gives you the confidence you need to overcome all that and deal with the obstacles of everyday life. With confidence and a positive outlook, it’s easier to deal with change and pick yourself up when you do make a mistake. Good self-esteem also leads to healthier relationships, as well as success in school and in the workplace. So here are nine simple steps to follow if your self-esteem could use a boost:

1. Decide to Improve – change must come from within
No big surprise here - the first step begins with you. Like any obstacle you are trying to overcome, the first step is to realize you want to improve your situation and then make the decision to start today.

2. Make a list of things you are good at
Make a list of all the things you have achieved and the things you enjoy doing. Once you take a look at that list, you'll probably start feeling better already. You might be amazed at the talents and achievements you may have forgotten or not even realized. Give yourself some well-deserved credit.

3. Accept compliments – think more positively about yourself
Most of us tend to shy away from or brush off compliments. How many of you have responded to a compliment by then saying something negative about yourself? It’s time to accept those compliments for what they are, stand proudly and say, “thank you.”

4. Build positive relationships
When suffering from low self-esteem, the last thing you need is to surround yourself with negative, self-destructive or unhappy people. Even after you walk away from them, you carry their burdens and negativity away with you. Now, reflect on how you feel after spending time with healthy, positive people. You'll discover these positive relationships make you feel happy, confident and full of life.

5. Clarify values – determine what’s important to you
Here’s your moment of reflection. Take some time to really think about your priorities. What makes you happy? What gives your life meaning? What would you like to accomplish? This could take some time, but be sure to honestly work through this exercise. It's best to write down your thoughts and start a journal.

6. Take action, make change
This could be considered one of the most difficult steps. Here’s where you have to get up off the couch and start making a difference. You’ve decided to make a change and you’ve set your priorities, now its time for the follow-through. Say "thank you" to compliments, say “no” to those negative influences in your life and "yes" to the positive ones. Make a phone call, sign up for a class or contact that person who can put you on the path towards achieving what makes you happy and gives your life meaning. And, once you take action, you’ll be amazed at what that does to your self-esteem.

7. Set goals – make them specific
You hear this all the time. Successful people set goals. So, why are so many of us lax in doing this? Well, many of us set goals, but they are too generic or too big or maybe we don’t give ourselves a realistic time frame. Next thing you know, our goals become a sort of wish list that ends up in a drawer...forgotten. But, now that you are focused on making some changes, try this again. This time make the goals very specific and give yourself a realistic time frame. Set smaller goals that help you work your way towards the bigger goal. Put your goals in a place where you will see them everyday and be reminded of where you’re headed.

8. Create a portfolio of your accomplishments
In Step 5, I mentioned starting a journal. Keeping track of your goals, talents, desires, hopes and dreams, as well as your accomplishments will help build your self-esteem. Once you accomplish one goal, you will have the confidence to accomplish the next goal. Sometimes seeing on paper what we’ve achieved helps it to really sink in. As you add to your portfolio and reflect on what you’ve done, your self-esteem will continue to improve. You’ll have written evidence of your successes, the obstacles you’ve overcome, the values you’ve upheld and a clear path to where you want to go next. That's got to make you feel good about yourself, right?

9. Accept yourself, like who you are
This is most important. If you don’t like yourself, do you really expect anyone else to like you? Once you accept yourself for who you are, others will too. Be that person who is positive, healthy, fun, and lives true to their values. People enjoy spending time with someone who exhibits these qualities – someone with good self-esteem.

For more on Building Self-Esteem, check out our DVD of the same title. You'll follow two young people as they work through each of the nine steps, building their own self-esteem along the way.